Urban Planning & Infrastructure

News Sep 8, 2026

ProtaStructure 2026 v9: 163 Enhancements Advance Seismic Design, BIM Interoperability, and Structural Analysis

Prota Software's ProtaStructure 2026 v9 delivers 163 engineering enhancements spanning seismic code compliance for seven international standards, automated foundation optimization, cruciform column support, and tighter IDEA StatiCa integration. The August 2026 update also introduces concrete shrinkage modeling in construction stage analysis and expanded IFC4 interoperability for BIM workflows.

By Jeff 149 views

News Aug 27, 2026

Scia Engineer 2026: Mobile Loads, 7-DOF Warping Beams, and Eurocode 2nd Generation Support

SCIA Engineer 2026 delivers a major structural analysis upgrade with automated mobile load systems using influence lines, a new 7th-degree-of-freedom beam element for warping and torsion, integrated footfall vibration analysis, and full compliance with the 2nd generation of Eurocodes. The release also adds a 3D wind load engine for ASCE 7-22 and enhanced punching shear checks for non-standard geometries.

By Jeff 235 views

Article Aug 4, 2026

OpenFlows WaterGEMS: Hydraulic Modeling, Criticality Analysis, and Calibration for Water Distribution Networks

OpenFlows WaterGEMS extends the EPANET solver with GIS integration, segment-based resilience analysis, and genetic-algorithm calibration. This guide covers EPS performance, criticality ranking, demand allocation strategies, and digital twin integration for production water distribution models.

By Jeff 198 views

Article Jun 17, 2026

InfraWorks + Civil 3D + InfoDrainage: A Three-Stage Workflow for Urban Drainage Simulation

Autodesk's integrated InfraWorks–Civil 3D–InfoDrainage workflow creates a continuous, bi-directional data pipeline for urban stormwater design—from watershed reconnaissance and pipe network layout through coupled 1D/2D hydraulic analysis and regulatory reporting. This article walks through each stage, covering key tools, data exchange formats, and practical recommendations for infrastructure engineers.

By Jeff 409 views

Article May 25, 2026

OpenDriveMap + VISSIM Co-Simulation: Modeling Pedestrian-Vehicle Conflict Zones in Urban Intersections

Combining ASAM OpenDRIVE's lane-level road geometry with PTV VISSIM's microscopic Social Force Model enables engineers to quantify pedestrian-vehicle conflict risk at complex urban intersections. This article walks through the full workflow—from OpenDRIVE import and pedestrian area configuration to Post-Encroachment Time extraction and countermeasure evaluation—providing a reproducible framework for safety analysis before construction begins.

By Jeff 368 views

Article May 1, 2026

UrbanSim Land Use Forecasting: Calibrating Parcel-Level Development Models for Long-Range Planning

UrbanSim's Real Estate Development Model (REDM) enables planners to simulate parcel-level land use change using econometric choice models calibrated against historical permit data. This article walks through the full calibration workflow—from assembling training data to spatial validation—and covers integration with regional travel demand models for credible long-range forecasts.

By Jeff 406 views

Article Mar 27, 2026

SWMM Low Impact Development Controls: Modeling Green Infrastructure for Urban Stormwater Management

EPA's Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) provides sophisticated Low Impact Development (LID) controls that enable engineers to simulate green infrastructure performance with multi-layer hydrologic modeling, detailed calibration capabilities, and integrated water quality analysis for urban stormwater management.

By Jeff 450 views

Article Mar 20, 2026

MATSim Multi-Agent Evacuation Modeling: Simulating Large-Scale Emergency Response

MATSim's agent-based evacuation modeling enables emergency planners to simulate large-scale disaster evacuations with unprecedented detail, capturing individual decision-making, network bottlenecks, and contraflow operations to optimize clearance times and save lives.

By Jeff 292 views

Article Feb 6, 2026

EPANET Pressure Management: Optimizing Water Distribution Networks Through Hydraulic Simulation

EPANET's advanced pressure management capabilities enable water utilities to reduce leakage, extend infrastructure life, and improve service reliability through hydraulic simulation and strategic control valve placement.

By Jeff 473 views

Article Dec 26, 2025

SUMO Traffic Light Optimization: Adaptive Signal Control for Urban Networks

SUMO's traffic light optimization capabilities enable cities to implement adaptive signal control strategies, coordinate arterial systems, and validate performance through simulation before real-world deployment, transforming traffic management into a data-driven discipline.

By Jeff 469 views

Article Dec 2, 2025

CityScope: Interactive Urban Planning and Smart City Simulation Platform

CityScope, developed by MIT Media Lab's City Science group, is a revolutionary interactive platform that transforms urban planning through tangible interfaces, real-time simulation, and participatory design, making complex urban data accessible to all stakeholders.

By Jeff 779 views